Tire chains???

[Boonieman]

We're getting ready to head out west to South Dakota and Colorado in mid-October. I'm considering getting some tires chains before going out there, but I have zero experience with them. I'm looking at either the diamond or v-bar style. I hope this isn't like engine oils, but I'm looking for advice from those that have used them. I really hate to go out there "naked". Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Danny

 

[jpickens]

v bars...

or ice breakers... love em... got a set from walmart a few years back... i'm running 33's and the set i got fits from a 33-35" tire... soon to upgrade to a 315x75r16 etc. etc. As they appear... they do grip better than standard chains... but chains vs. no chains is such a HUGE improvement anywho...

U can also get the cables... not as good off the road... but u can go a bit faster with the cables on icy roads vs. chains. Less teeth rattle...

 

[TFerrari]

If you have a 4x4 I would not waste my money on cables. Only needs chains if its pure ice and have the sled trailer hooked up. If its that slick the highway will already be closed. I only need them for paved fireroads with the sled trailer when it is very icy.

New snow is never really a problem. If you get them practice putting them on before you go. Make a block to drive your truck onto with the chains on the ground. It makes the process much faster and a lot less hassle. Lay the chains down, put the block in the middle, drive onto the blocks rap the chains around and adjust them and your good to go. Don't forget your blocks. If you have a trailer never chain the front. I have seen many do it. Fine going up the hill, but good luck on the down hills,lol.

 

[Boonieman]

Thanks for the advice. I do have a 4X4 and I have done some research and had already decided the cables weren't for me. Even here in Ky I've had a couple occasions where I wished I had had a set of chains. Once I had to cut up an old barbed wire fence and wrap the strands thru the wheel spokes of my old Nissan to get out due to ice. It actually worked pretty well, but I stayed at a very slow speed. I also agree that I'm not planning to get tire chains so I can just get out and play on the roads. If it's that bad I'd just as soon hole up somewhere with a cold brewskie and my lovely bride of 28 years. But I'd rather have the chains in my toolbox than not. Thanks!

 

[Glen]

Also, if you tow, you will need chains fro the trailer.

Glen

 

[Grunt]

I cut down some semi truck chains for my pickup... one pair has the v-bars (aka ice cleats). As was mentioned , get a set of chains for your trailer.



#ad

 

[agkrueger]

And who said you need a plow? :-laf Great picture.

 

[Boonieman]

That was one awsome picture! I settled on the diamond style of chains, mainly because of the ease of installation and reportedly better ride. Hopefully I won't need them, but they won't be eating much laying in my tool box. I will definitely practice putting them on.

 

[fkovalski]

Check out TireChains.com for more information. They have just about anything you might need.

 

[TFerrari]

Also there is nothing better then our trucks in the snow. I was a die hard chevy fan until i got tired for getting embarresed by my buddies Dodge. I had a 02 chev with the BB and Allison-2500HD and it wasn,t even a contest. We both snowmobile in the mountains here and in Canada- very extreme areas. Our trailers are identical 21Ft enclosed trailers with very beefy frames. On the road both towed great except I burned twice the fuel. When it got slick things really changed. When I and everyone else was chaining up to go up the local hill (The Matterhorn) His Dodge would just blow by everyone with no chains. 315 BFG's sipped! I got stuck in a driveway that he packed down 4+ feet of snow with because our buddies plow lost its transmission. The worst part was I was still in park!!!- Yelling for him not to hook up- He couldn't wait. Latter that same weekend we needed to tow our buddies plow back to the cabin. All four tires were chained up and there was still 2 ft of fresh on the road back. The Dodge just rocked. I figured I would slow him down a little. The truck was running but with no transmission. I started squeezing the brakes on slowly. You could see his ass end start to squat and it just kept pulling. It was even slightly up hill. I ended up with all four tires locked and still couldn't stop his dodge. All I saw was his finger out the window and slow flying. He was crabbing sideways and I was even pushing snow even though the plow was raised "Incredable"!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't stop him. Another buddy from CO was there who was also die hard chevy man. He has a new 1500 Hemi and I bought 2500 6speed and I am setting it up the exact same way except for the 4" lift.

Dodge Cummings are unstoppable in the slow.

 

[SOLER]

Also there is nothing better then our trucks in the snow. I was a die hard chevy fan until i got tired for getting embarresed by my buddies Dodge. I had a 02 chev with the BB and Allison-2500HD and it wasn,t even a contest.

Dodge Cummings are unstoppable in the slow.

If we're talking pickup vs pickup, you might be right. But I really, REALLY, miss my old '76 Suburban. That had such a sweet balance of weight on front and rear axles. It really was unstoppable. Snow, mud, sand. Whatever. It would just go go go go!!



It first had a 350, then I swapped in a 454. Great truck. Too much rust, tho, and it had to go, one way or the other. I've had my dodge trucks in situations where I shouldn't have been, but was thinking it would do all right. I figured it would do as good as the old 'burban, but not so much. I get leary taking my truck some places. I think I need to get an old 'burban again and put a 5. 9 in it. I almost did this with the one I had.



Sorry to ramble. If you've seen any of my other posts about 4 wheeling, you might see how much I miss that old truck :{



SOLER

 

[Grunt]

Also there is nothing better then our trucks in the snow.

I never needed chains to get where I was going, just to get back from there. When I stopped to turn around my Dodge sank and was high centered from bumper to bumper. Took quite a bit of digging and ended up chaining up the rear while just draping the other set chains over the front tires.

 

[DocDetonancour]

Whats this driving on a block? Wood? What does the block do? Doc

 

[Hemiless]

You place the block between the chain's outside links and the chians crosslinks so that when you drive up on it the tire is raised off the ground. This allows you to wrap the chain around the tire eaiser and get it good and snug.